Chautauqua County groundwater contains radon, iron, and manganese as top contaminants, along with arsenic, chloride, and sulfate that exceed EPA health standards. These levels are serious enough to warrant testing and attention from well owners.
The mixed rock formations beneath this county naturally contain iron and manganese that dissolve into groundwater over time. Radon comes from radioactive elements within the rock itself. Arsenic also occurs naturally in these rock layers. Chloride and sulfate can enter from road salt and other surface sources that seep down through the fractured geology here.
Groundwater in this county is hard, driven primarily by elevated calcium and magnesium from the local rock. Iron at moderate levels adds to the mineral character of the water. These characteristics show up across many wells throughout the county, though individual wells vary in their specific mineral makeup.
Arsenic, chloride, iron, manganese, radon, and sulfate exceed health standards in wells across Chautauqua County. Arsenic harms the brain and kidneys with long-term exposure. Radon is a radioactive gas that increases lung cancer risk. Manganese can damage brain development in children. Iron and manganese at high levels also pose health concerns over time.
County well water is moderately hard, which means scale builds up inside pipes and appliances. Iron leaves orange-brown stains on sinks, toilets, and laundry. Hard water at this level can shorten the lifespan of water heaters and dishwashers. Some people notice a metallic taste in the water.
We recommend testing your well water because every well is different--yours may have higher or lower levels than what is common in the county. Testing is the only way to know what is actually in your water so it can be properly treated. A comprehensive metals and minerals panel runs $200-400 and covers the main contaminants. Treatment options like water softeners, iron filters, and radon mitigation systems are available depending on your test results.
Not sure if your well is affected? Get certified results in 5–7 days.
Test Your Well Water with Tap Score →| Contaminant | Samples ⓘ | % Above MCL ⓘ | Distribution ⓘ | Confidence ⓘ | Risk ⓘ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radon | 33 | 39% | Moderate | High ⓘ | |
| Iron | 107 | 33% | High | High | |
| Manganese | 51 | 29% | Moderate | High | |
| Sulfate | 78 | 6% | Moderate | Moderate | |
| Chloride | 154 | 5% | High |
Moderate
Elevated concentration, not % above limit
|
|
| Arsenic | 40 | 2% | Moderate | Low | |
| Fluoride | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Lead | 40 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrate | 63 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| Nitrite | 36 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| PFHxS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFNA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOA ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| PFOS ⓘ municipal | 19 | 0% | Moderate | Safe | |
| Uranium | 27 | 0% | Moderate | Low | |
| pH | 99 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| PFBS ⓘ municipal | 19 | — | Moderate | Safe | |
| Hardness | 78 | — | Moderate | Low | |
| Fecal Coliform | 13* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| E. coli | 13* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Total Coliform | 13* | 0% | Low | Low | |
| Sodium | 75 | — | Moderate | Low |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA limit for public water; used as benchmark for private wells). Distribution shows % of sampled wells in each concentration band. Methodology.
* Microbial contaminants (E. coli, coliform) reflect only samples from the last 10 years.
Data shows potential risk — a certified test confirms whether your water is affected.
Order a Tap Score Test →Population-level CDC data. Not individual risk prediction.
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